October 2nd ~ 9th
“Proserpine” by Dante Gabriel Rosetti
Bitter pain seized Demeter's heart, and she rent the covering upon her divine hair with her dear hands: her dark cloak she cast down from both her shoulders and sped, like a wild-bird, over the firm land and yielding sea, seeking her child. But no one would tell her the truth, neither god nor mortal man; and of the birds of omen none came with true news for her. Then for nine days queenly Demeter wandered over the earth with flaming torches in her hands, so grieved that she never tasted ambrosia and the sweet draught of nectar, nor sprinkled her body with water. But when the tenth enlightening dawn had come, Hecate, with a torch in her hands, met her, and spoke to her and told her the news. - The Myth of Demeter ~Homer
On Saturday (or Friday, depending on where you are in the world) Venus stations for her descent into the underworld. Stationing for her retrograde phase at 8º Scorpio 29’ she dives deep, greeting the shades of yesteryear, all that we had loved and lost, all that had touched our hearts and soul, our desires, our wounds, our passions, our sorrows and joys.
When Venus, the planet of the divine Feminine, appears to station for its retrograde phase in the sign of Scorpio, it can bring up issues surrounding sexuality, women’s roles, and all the associated underlying wounds still embedded in the psyche of our society. Stay posted. Venus is retrograde from October 3rd thru November 14th, and will soon be banished from the heavens by the rays of the Sun. However, she remains undaunted. No matter what setbacks she might endure, whatever wounds are being revealed, the divine Feminine will rise again.
As Venus stations, she enters Persephone’s domain. Descending into the Plutonic realms, she leaves her mother Demeter to wander the Earth, grieving for her daughter. Some of us will be identifying with Demeter, as she rends her hair, seeking the truth and the birds of omen. It will be Hecate who will come to educate her during the retrograde phase of Venus.
For others, we will be descending with Persephone into the underworld where having eaten the seeds of the pomegranate, we became bound to our self-undoing. The descent of Persephone reminds us of the consequences of our choices, and the ways that we seal our fate. It will also be here that we find the remedy and our own healing.
With Venus at the retrograde station in Scorpio, square Mars in Leo, and square Pluto in Aquarius, we see a tense dynamic between those things over which we do have control, and those that we simply do not. One of these requires commitment, courage and strength. The other requires acceptance, honesty and a willingness to face the truth. This is not a descent for the weak of heart, for we may not know what or who we are going to meet there, until we face it head on.
It is by going down into the abyss that we recover the treasures of life. Where you stumble, lies your treasure. The very cave you are afraid to enter turns out to be the source of what you are looking for. ~ Joseph Campbell
Pomegranates are symbolic of our blood oaths, our promises, our most ancient soul contracts. And with Venus retrograde, and returning to its opposition to Chiron, we will be facing our own wounds. The retrograde phase of Venus is simple. Venus makes its retrograde station on October (2nd) 3rd, and then appears to be moving back through the sign of Scorpio. On October 23rd (24th), at 0º Scorpio 45’, the Sun and retrograde Venus will be conjunct (in the same sign and degree). At this point Venus is invisible in the evening or morning sky, for she will be rising and setting with the Sun. This exact conjunction of the Sun and Venus (cazimi) is like a New Moon Venus, in which she begins her next 19 month cycle, in the very first degree of Scorpio. This is the final Venus Star Point in Scorpio in our lifetimes. It is at this point that we are being asked to make new oaths, set new soul contracts, while we ask ourselves: “What do I want, in my heart of hearts, what is it that I truly desire and/or need?”
For as we go through all the wounds, all the losses, all of the broken contracts that are no longer relevant, all of the deep emotions we might usually avoid, we also confront our deepest truths, our finest gifts, that which we are most passionate about. It is that which our soul yearns for. Retrograde Venus in Scorpio is asking us to prioritize and invest in ourselves. And this is when we take the essence of all that we had lived and learned, in the prior Venus cycles, and apply it to the cycle that is yet to come. One day after the Sun/Venus cazimi, Venus returns to her home sign of Libra and opposes Chiron once again, and that is when the healing truly begins to unfold.
As we begin this retrograde cycle, Venus is in Scorpio, a sign of great depth and passion. In this guise Venus is quite powerful as the Queen of the Underworld, where she not only dons the the robes of harmony and beauty, but also sexuality, power, passion and war. During the retrograde cycle, Venus will disappear from the sky, descending to the nether world where she will convene with the gods. And just before the October Full Moon, Venus will conjunct the Sun, marking the beginning of the new Venus cycle. Venus will not be visible again until November, when she is far enough from the Sun to then be seen as a Morning Star.
Venus will retrograde back to Libra on October 24th, a sign of equality, fairness and justice. What will become most obvious over these weeks before the direct station on November 14th, is where we give our power away to others, where there is inequality and unfairness, and what we need to do to reestablish the balance once again. In our personal lives, these weeks of the retrograde cycle of Venus can be sketchy for relationships, and questionable for finances. Relationships in general may prove to be more complicated than may at first be evident, where undercurrents of possessiveness, fear of abandonment and jealousy are vying for trust and deeper intimacy. Much can be revealed about others, but also about our own underlying fears, and hidden emotions that we had not thoroughly dealt with. It’s amazing what can come to the surface when we least expect it.
Things to avoid during the Venus retrograde cycle:
Making major decisions or commitments in relationships, since the likelihood of exaggerating or diminishing the qualities in the other person are heightened.
Making investments or buying expensive items. Things may appear to be more valuable than they actually are.
Buying a new wardrobe or changing your appearance: Once Venus is direct again, you’ll wonder what on earth you were thinking. Go with caution before doing anything radical.
Starting a new business. There can be exceptions, but usually does not bode well. Venus retrograde will follow along like a bad penny you can’t seem to get rid of.
What the Venus retrograde cycle is good for:
Reunions. People can emerge out of the woodwork at these times. This can be good or bad depending on the person. Sometimes it presents an opportunity to take care of any unfinished business. Can also allow you to reconnect with those people you really do care about, but with whom you had lost touch
Exploring what your expectations are from others, and they from you. It is difficult to make compromises at these times, because everyone is focused on their own needs. But it is a very important time to get in tune with what is important to you, and what you want and/or need from relationships and partners. It is also important to know what your limits are, and how far you are or are not willing to compromise for the sake of love and peace.
Reassessing your priorities. It is time to look within and consider those things, people and circumstances that are truly important to you, and how you can make them more of a priority in your life. But most importantly, this Venus retrograde is very much about making yourself more of a priority, and being willing to invest in that.
Getting in touch with your creative side. If you are so inclined, the retrograde period is a time in which we can be deeply and creatively inspired. If nothing else, immerse yourself in those things that bring you comfort, pleasure and joy: music, art, beauty, nature, and harmony. Your inner Muse needs waking.
Gratitude. We have a tendency to focus on those things we do not have. But if we were to wake each morning with a sense of gratitude for those things we do have, it invests us with an inner sense of prosperity, which if cultivated has the capacity to sow outer prosperity as well. Make it a point each morning during the retrograde phase of Venus to write down one thing for which you are thankful, including all those things that you usually take for granted.
For this week’s horoscopes, click below: